Emulsions

• Multiple phases that do not separate

quickly; usually requires an energy source.
• If oil and water do not separate quickly,
then look for the stabilizing mechanism
• Emulsions are frequently blamed for
damage, however, most emulsions are
formed in the tubing or lift system by gas
breakout or added energy.
 Types of Emulsions
• oil-in-water
• water-in-oil
• gas-in-water (foams and froths)
• solids-in-liquids (muds, etc.)
 Energy Sources
• lift system
• gas breakout
• shear at any point in the well
• choke
• gas expansion
Expansion of gas occurs as the gas rises from the bottom of
the well. The expanding gas can entrain and carry liquid
with it if the flow rate reaches critical velocity (the velocity
necessary to lift liquid).

Remember – the volume of the gas

bubble (and indirectly the velocity of the 2500 ft
upward flowing fluid) is controlled by the 1075 psi
pressure around it. This pressure is
provided by the formation pore pressure
and controlled by the choke and other
back pressure resistances.

5,000 ft

2150 psi
The type of flow pattern changes with the expansion of the gas. One or
more of the flow patterns may be present in different parts of the well.
The flow patterns may explain differences in lift, corrosion and
unloading.
Mist Flow – external phase is gas with a
small amount of liquid

Channel or annular flow

Slug or churn flow

Depth Piston flow

and
Pressure Bubble flow

Single phase liquid flow

 Stabilizers
• surfactant (film stiffeners)
• solids (silt, rust, wax, scale, cuttings)
• emulsion or component viscosity (prevents
particle or droplet contact)
 Changes in Fluid Viscosity with Change in Internal Phase of
Dispersed or Emulsified Flow

Deformation

Widely
Dispersed Contact

Viscosity Inverted

52% 74% 96%

Increasing internal fraction of the “emulsion”
Oil based mud cleanup is a special
case, requiring dispersal of the OBM
emulsifying agents and wetting of the
particles to prevent damage. Contact
with acid, as shown, will produce
some severe sludges that are very
difficult to break.
A 50-50 mix of 14 ppg OBM
and 15% HCl. The resultant
sludge formed immediately and
was stable for months.